Premier Eby addresses local concerns regarding Israel-Hamas war

B.C. Premier David Eby is addressing concerns at home after a war between Israel and Hamas broke out Saturday.

Speaking at the CityNews studio Thursday morning, Eby says while the federal government jurisdictionally takes the lead on international relations, the province is concerned about how Jewish and Muslim children at school are being treated as kids begin to understand what’s happening in the Middle East.

“What we’re really concerned about, obviously, are kids at schools [and] potential bullying, about how kids interpret what’s happening internationally, and supporting educators and school boards and responding to this.

“We’re seeing some good leadership from that level, about making sure that the kids are supported,” he explained.

Eby acknowledges many British Columbians are reeling from the attacks that took place in Israel on Saturday, especially those who have relatives and friends who live in Israel and Palestinian territories.

“If you have someone in your life that’s feeling that, reaching out and supporting them is a really important thing to do right now because it’s a time of future anxiety,” he said.

His comments come on the sixth day of fighting between Israel and Hamas. The Israeli military is preparing for a possible ground operation in Gaza but the political leadership has not yet decided on one, Lt. Col. Richard Hecht told reporters Thursday.

Hamas said it’s seeking to end Palestinians’ suffering, which had become intolerable under unending Israeli military occupation, increasing settlements in the West Bank, and a 16-year-long blockade in Gaza.

People in Gaza spent Wednesday night in darkness, surrounded by the ruins of neighbourhoods as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to “crush and destroy” Hamas.

As of Thursday morning, it is estimated that at least 2,600 people have been killed during the attacks, with that number expected to continue to rise.

British Columbians really value being able to come together from all parts of the world, Eby explains, and with different histories and cultures, people in the province are able to work together, “Staying focused on that, for a province, is really important, at times of division.”

Eby says he’s talking about the devastation with his eldest child, who’s nine years old, especially as Remembrance Day nears.

“Around Remembrance Day is when we’re talking about war and about the impacts of war on people. It’s difficult, you know, I’ve got a nine-year-old boy who loves Nerf guns and loves the idea of weapons, and dressing up as a soldier for Halloween, and all these kinds of things.

“And the reality of war is being experienced right now, and Israel is quite detached from his daily experience.

“Trying to make that real for him is a challenge, certainly, that we face at home. And it’s a challenge for a lot of parents. I can’t imagine the situation of parents with family or friends in Israel right now, trying to explain that to their kids,” he said.